Politics

Yute Commuter Service is suing its former business manager for allegedly embezzling company funds to pay for personal expenses, pay raises, and bonuses. 

The Bethel City Election is on Oct. 6, but city voters can begin voting now. City Clerk Lori Strickler said that voting before the election is only one option. Others include voting by mail and online voting. Strickler said that those wanting to vote early can do so, with public health precautions, at city hall.

In its Sept. 22 meeting, the Bethel City Council passed a number of budget modifications, ranging from hiring additional staff for the finance department to fixing issues with the YK Fitness Center. 

The city will spend $330,000 to help stabilize the finance department; most of that money will pay for the services of an outside accounting firm because the city is currently without a permanent finance director or acting finance director. 

Bethel Winter House will soon have its own building to operate a year-round homeless shelter. On Sept. 22, the Bethel City Council agreed to sell the old senior center in Housing Subdivision to Winter House for $1.

A familiar face is back in charge of Bethel’s city administration. At the Sept. 22 meeting, the Bethel City Council announced that Pete Williams will serve as interim city manager. Council members chose Williams from three final candidates. The other two were Marybeth Whalen and another former city manager, Lee Foley. 

Get to know the Bethel City Council candidates with KYUK. Join us Sept. 23, 7- 8:30 p.m. for a live forum with candidates Perry Barr, Michelle DeWitt, Rose “Sugar” Henderson, and Conrad “CJ” McCormick. The four candidates are running for three open seats. Elections are Oct. 6.